Engineers from Network Rail have successfully completed a £13.2m project to stabilise a railway embankment near Morpeth station, along the East Coast Main Line.
This weakened embankment came as a result of movements along the ground, causing a landslip to the grounds supporting the railway, requiring trains to traverse at reduced speeds since February 2021. The works will help to future-proof the stability of the embankment, securing a safe line for years to come.
Jonny Ham, Lead Portfolio Manager for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said:
“I’m very pleased that this essential work is now complete, allowing the embankment to remain safe with trains running at normal speed once again.
“Passengers travelling on the East Coast Main line can now look forward to smoother, more reliable journeys in Northumberland, and I would like to thank everyone for bearing with us throughout the duration of the project.”
Starting in May and carrying on through to October 2022, over 4000m of steel and more than 4000 tonnes of concrete were installed part of the piling process, where piles are dug deep into the ground to strengthen and stabilise the grounds.
Upon the culmination of these works, trains are now able to traverse at regular speeds, severely reducing the service delays that have plagued the region for the past year. Passenger transport can now be maximised again, guaranteeing strong a revenue increase for operators along the line, whilst also improving the customer experience.
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